Nurses have been banned from wearing racy outfits which reveal “excessive cleavage” at work.

A hospital trust issued a strict new uniform policy after a number of complaints from its patients.

The document says doctors and nurses face disciplinary action if they wear clothing that “exposes the midriff, torso or excessive cleavage”.

Advertisement >>

East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust rules also ban its 5,000 non-uniform staff from wearing miniskirts, shorts, denim or leggings.

Hannah Middleton, Unison branch secretary for the trust, said: “There had been complaints about staff baring their midriff and health and safety problems as some had been wearing sandals.

“There has always been a policy but it has now been toughened up.”

A trust spokesman said: “The dress code’s aim is to establish a ­professional and consistent image that reflects the trust’s values.”